Rare `public-private partnership` deal in wildlife sealed

2008-07-28 09:29:14
By Adam Ihucha, Arusha


Public-private partnerships (PPPs) often seen as appropriate form for financing big infrastructure projects are also suitable in sustainable wildlife development projects, a recent example in Monduli District, Arusha Region can prove.

Five villages in Monduli have signed an agreement with Tanzania Game Tracker Safaris (TGTS) which gives the latter exclusive rights for exploiting a wide variety of wildlife resources in `Monduli Open Area` for tourist hunting and photographic undertakings.

In turn, the TGTS would support several development projects in the area, such as water supply, health and education.

The deal, sealed Wednesday, has officially brought the 260 square miles of wildlife-rich-Monduli hunting bloc straddling the border of Monduli and Longido districts under TGTS�s ambit.

``We are not simply happy because we are now having a potential investor, but we are grateful because TGTS firm has for long supported our development endeavours`` Mfereji village chairman, Sitato Sakita said shortly after the brief signing function.

``Moreover the current contract is more promising, as it will more than double villages` total revenues compared to the previous agreements,`` he noted.

TGTS Manager, Michel Allard, said under the current pact, the five villages, namely Enguiki, Mfereji, Kiserian, Engikaret and Noondoto would realise more than double the amount of revenues they received in the 2007 hunting season.

``In the 2007 season, the villages realised nearly 9m/-, but under the new agreement the amount will be more than double. The exact amount will depend on the exact results of the hunting season`` Michel said.

According to the contract, TGTS would pay a game fee royalty equivalent to 20 percent of the current government game fee for each species of animal shot by their clients to be divided equally amongst the villages whose land forms part of the Monduli Open Area hunting bloc.

In addition, TGTS will create a Village Conservation Fund from which each village would be paid 1,000,000/- per year.

Besides, each village would be entitled to up to 1,000,000/- for conservation efforts.

Clients of TGTS camps will pay a bed night levy of 10,000/-, an amount that would directly be deposited into Village Development Accounts to be distributed equally between all five (5) villages in the TGTS (Monduli) hunting block.

TGTS will also pay between 350,000 and 700,000/- per year in camp fees to the respective villages.

Friedkin Conservation Fund (FCF) Community Development Coordinator, Elliot Kinsey said TGTS firm has developed a relationship of cooperation with the villages through collaboration on a number of projects through the FCF.

In June this year, for instance, with the financial support of the Safari Club International-Foundation and logistical support from FCF, a health centre at Mfereji village was equipped with a solar system to power lighting and a variety of medical appliances.

SOURCE: Guardian

I suspect they will be paying with Zim dollars Just kidding, congrats to TGTS!
LDK

1,168 TS to $1(US)

1,000,000 TS would be $856